It's an easy-to-drive station wagon that has comfortable seating for five adults and cargo space galore, plus generous ground clearance and available all-wheel drive (AWD) that enable it to tackle just about any surface nearly as well as the more cumbersome truck-like vehicles.

Transmission

The XC70's main competitors in this niche are probably the Subaru Outback and Honda Crosstour, and while both of those have lower starting prices, they don't come close to the premium feel and advanced safety features that are standard on the Volvo.